Republican lawmakers moving slowly on their stated priorities

HARRISBURG -- Five months into the 2011-12 legislative sessionand Gov. Tom Corbett's term, lawmakers haven't sent legislation tothe governor's desk dealing with most issues that he and theyidentified as priorities.

"What many thought would be a slam-dunk has turned out to be ahard slog for the Republicans" who took control of the House andSenate and governor's mansion after November's election, said G.Terry Madonna, a political science professor at Franklin andMarshall College.

Republicans often "aren't on the same page," he said.

A slow start isn't unusual in the beginning of a session with anew governor, he said, predicting agreements between the chamberswill emerge and result in a flurry of bills heading to Corbett forhis signature.

Here's a look at some of the major issues and where they stand:

Marcellus shale: Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, introduced a local impact fee bill that he hopeswill meet Corbett's guidelines for a fee, not a tax, that wouldgenerate no General Fund revenue. Numerous tax proposals by Senateand House Democrats to raise state revenue remain in limbo.

"We're not planning on a Marcellus shale tax," House GOPspokesman Stephen Miskin said.

Corbett signed a Senate bill on Friday to establish "safespacing" between gas wells and workable coal seams.

Lawsuit reform: The House approved a measure establishingcomparative responsibility for judgments in civil suits and sent itto a Senate committee. It would apportion judgment based on thedegree of liability, for defendants found to be less than 60 percentresponsible.

Sprinkler mandate: Corbett signed a bill repealing a requirementto install fire sprinklers in new single-family homes and duplexes.

Castle Doctrine: The House and Senate passed identical billsexpanding the self-defense justification outside the home. The billsremove a requirement that someone defending himself must take stepsin retreat before using lethal force outside of a home.

Transparent government: The House and Senate passed differentbills to make more state data such as salaries and contracts readilyavailable on the Internet. In a key difference, the House bill wouldhave the state Treasury Department oversee data; the Senate woulduse a yet-to-be-established independent fiscal office to house thedata.

Abortion clinic regulation: The House approved a bill to providetighter regulation of abortion clinics after eight murder chargeswere filed against the operator of a Philadelphia clinic, whomprosecutors accused of running a "house of horrors." The House billwould place abortion clinics under regulations governing ambulatorysurgical clinics. A Senate bill would provide annual unannouncedinspections. The Senate might vote on its bill next week.

School choice: The House last week approved a bill expanding a2001 program that gives businesses tax breaks if they pay forscholarships that students can use at private or parochial schools.Corbett and Senate leaders support S.B. 1, which would providetaxpayer-paid vouchers for school choice. The Senate hasn't voted onit.

State budget: In March, Corbett proposed a $27.3 billion budgetto close a $4.2 billion deficit. He suggested a 50 percent cut forhigher education. The House could vote next week on a budgetproposed by its Republican leaders that would restore most of thosecuts through proposed savings in welfare programs. It would adhereto Corbett's cap on overall spending. Lawmakers have a June 30deadline to pass a budget.